Month: August 2017

King William ruled the MidRealm with his Birch-Queen Isolde. After the great Pennsic Wars were fought, They called Gareth Ostwestly to see Them. He was a lendr maðr in Their lands, a sworn king’s man and he held lands for Them to the east of here, called Ayerton. He was a strong and just thane.

Gangly Gareth had found his fealty walking with his wedding-brother in Rokkhealdon, far from the whale-road. Though young, he threw himself into long labor. His skills at managing accounts was well known, as was his brewing. Many an ale-prow he filled and many a soup bowl as well.

Those who know him tell these tales: Once he carried calm Hillary’s ship-fence, Sif’s supporter, as a favor, finely strapped. Deep in the spear din shone that moon of battle, and rightly, he returned it later, to his grey-sky eye-love. He has spent long hours marking the mighty of men, and finding the battle-fire of noble wolf feeders. He was rightly a reeve of midlands region, before he was höfðingi, beside his valkyrie.

Once at battle-harbor, he left the fray, eyes caught by a child in deep distress. He sat silently with her, a disturbed brief-daughter, nameless. Was she a Norn, knowingly testing? Either way, he broke her smile-ban, and a verse was written about him:

It has been five bears-nights since he was made a dragon’s heart. To that, William and Isolde add storm-pale feathers of the Pelican and set Their marks on this telling. This is done at the battles of the ágætr kona, in the Shire of Swordcliff, west of Gareth’s holdings. These marks made on the 26th day of the month, being the one hundred and twelfth day of the reign, AS LII.
William Isolde

Pennsic always gives us many memories. Sometimes, however, moments are only seen by a few, and deserve being shared with more people.

Back in AS 36-37, the MidRealm was ruled by Valharic and Alys. It has been many years since those heady days, and while I remember that reign fondly, both rulers have gone on to do more great things. Earlier this year, Dame Alys was recognized by Their Majesties for her service. On Monday of War Week, Duke Valharic was elevated to the Order of the Pelican.

This is the scroll text that was read. This text accompanies the gorgeous stained glass window created by Q Phia Sherry, whose work far outshines mine.

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Come now, all good MidRealm subjects,

See your King and Queen give respect

He stands tall in accomplishment:

His service deeds acknowledgement.

Wisdom, a virtue required

For all in peerage attired

He knows what is appropriate

For those who hold matters of state.

Bravery is known true by all

Who stand in mail to heed the call

For he has led the Kingdom fair

For Dragon wheeling in the air

Justice sustains all that we try

Its service brings our hearts to fly

Incorruptable does he stand

With grace and honor at his hand

Self restraint carries him onward

Son of Dragons to us returned

Dignity ever expanding

Our love for him is longstanding

Fides exemplifies him now

As he kneels to take MidRealm vow

Duke and Laurel has he been

And now, Valharic, Pelican.

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(espousing the Roman “virtues”, written in the manner of “Yvain, the Knight of the Lion”, by Chrétien de Troyes, composed between 1175 and 1185.)

Text by Andreas Blacwode

Scribed by Gillian de Solis (Christine Wallrich, who will hopefully provide a picture)